Second District Congressional Question 10-23-12

All this month, we’ve been featuring the major candidates for both ballot selections.We continue with the two men running for Maine’s Second Congressional District seat.Here’s what we asked them.This November, voters in Maine will again decide whether same sex marriage should be legal in our state. Are you for or against same sex marriage and why?Kevin Raye:”As a state senator, I have always supported gay rights, you know, encouraging that everybody should be treated equally with respect, to, you know, the housing and jobs and in life. I don’t support changing the definition of marriage. I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. And I believe that there are ways that we can respect and honor committed, loving same-sex relationships. We can do that through civil unions. Many states across the country have done that. There are states in fact, that have laws prohibiting same sex marriage, even constitutional amendments prohibiting same sex marriage, but who at the same time, have enacted the civil unions, so that the rights and privileges of marriage are available to committed same sex couples, and I think that’s the appropriate way to go. “Congressman Michaud:”That’s a very difficult question to answer. I know a lot of Mainers are struggling with it, as I go around, particularly my generation and older. The younger generation, they don’t seem to have too much of a problem with that issue. As long as, and in this, I’ve always felt that marriage is an issue that should be dealt with at the state level, which the voters this November will be voting on, once again. As long as the marriage, the institution of marriage, as it relates to religious organization, are protected. I think that’s extremely important. It’s my understanding that the question this, in this fall will protect religious institutions, as far as marriage. That being said, I think people should have the freedom to marry who they want to marry.”